The Dash For Magnolia Lane

The dash towards Augusta is coming up so fast that it's really hard to fathom. We've seen some seriously good golf as the PGA Tour has completed it's swings through Hawai'i, California and after this week's stop at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida the "Florida Swing" will have met its conclusion. So what have we seen thus far as we wander ever so closer to smelling the azaleas and magnolias?

Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

While we have seen terrific golf turned in thus far with a majority of it being exciting it also leaves us scratching our heads about so many things. Adam Scott has seen a resurgence of sorts this season, even though the Australian has never disappeared. His back to back wins on Tour this year has definitely made the golf world take notice that he was still very prominent on Tour. Remember, this was the same guy who could not make a putt and some suggested that he simply could not putt. The reason why Scott went to a long putter. In a way that highly resembled Chubbs' work with Happy Gilmore, Scott has not only been able to putt well this year but more importantly he's been able to putt under pressure with a traditional length putter. As we get closer to The Masters, it's hard not to look at a guy like Scott to win  and there will be a fair share of "poolies" that will select him to win. But as I finish talking about one Aussie what about the other notable Aussie? Jason Day.

Photo Courtesy: USA Today

Day has definitely stumbled out of the gates and in a way I think it's almost reflective of a "hangover". The way that he played last year was so dominant at times that it had some pundits thinking that he was "Tiger-esque" (and in no way am I suggesting that he was). But he was doing it all out there hitting it long and putting well. Say what you will about the set-up at Chambers Bay it was the same golf course that all players played. But like them or hate them, the USGA has a way of having the cream rise to the top and Day overcame vertigo to finish T-9 at the U.S. Open. This finish was a springboard for what would be his 2015 season (even though he won earlier in the year at The Travelers). That win however, was the proverbial "floodgates opening" because it led to the T-9 at Chambers, then he would finish one stroke back out of the playoff at the Open Championship just to emerge victorious a week later at the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey. Then at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin Day would earnhis first Major victory at the 2015 PGA Championship. After finishing 23rd his last start (at Doral) Day has started out well this week by going -6 thru the first round. Maybe just maybe this is Day strategically biding his time to peak in time for the trip down Magnolia Lane. As far as The Masters goes he's always around on Sunday and he cannot be forgotten regardless of his start in 2016. People have to remember that golf is a marathon and not a sprint.

I really don't try to read too much when it comes to golf news and truth be told I do not have The Golf Channel at home. But how long will it be before fans start asking "What's wrong with Jordan?". Relax folks.. like I just finished saying golf is a marathon and Spieth has definitely seen a busy front end of his schedule. Last week at the Valspar Championship he was on the grounds to defend his 2015 title at Innisbrook. At one point he was down and out after firing a first round 76. But then Friday and "Moving Day" happened and suddenly there was Jordan in contention. Spieth did sputter a little bit on Sunday and would finish with a 73 and a T-18. But you just get the sense that as much as it matters... nothing really matters until Augusta. With baseball in the air, for some of the guys out there it's a lot like Spring Training. Meaning, you know who will likely be on the Opening Day roster with the rest of the guys being right there scrambling and grinding to see if they can make it to the "big club" or their affiliate. Worry not Spieth fans... the kid is alright.

Photo Courtesy: PGA Tour

There are so many golfers that I want to look at before completing this entry. There's Bubba Watson and what he's done. This year he has been in contention and he has two "Green Jackets" to his name. His length and imagination as we all know could easily win it again. It's been almost impossible to not become enamored with "Ole Lefty". We have seen flashes of sheer brilliance out of Phil Mickelson already and he's made a few tournaments a little more exciting in 2016. Wouldn't that be something if he pulled a "rabbit out of the hat"? After all, Augusta is a magical place. Rickie Fowler... I look at Rickie as a guy who is just sitting in the bushes waiting to pounce. It was a little bit sad when it was announced earlier this week that Mr. Palmer will not be hitting his ceremonial tee shot this year but speaking of unknown statuses, how about Tiger Woods? When that video was released of Tiger hitting into the sim I saw a golfer that looked really sore and almost tense from being so tender. Could it be a ruse? It's almost hard to imagine Tiger not teeing it up in Augusta this year and for that reason I think that he will be there... playing.

Right now, the entire field looks amazing and as we play out the final few weeks leading up to The Masters I think that we will see even more entertaining golf. In between now and then, the dash for Magnolia Lane will see many answers to a lot of questions answered.

Until the next tee.